Big news for Casey Hospital! We’re soon to be doubling the capacity of the emergency room, by creating an additional 45 points of care. Funded in this year’s State Budget, this is a really important upgrade for the hospital as the area’s population continues to grow.
You may have seen works already taking place around Jim Parkes Reserve in the centre of town. The State Government has partnered with Council to jointly fund a major upheaval of this treasured but tired playground and park, with new play equipment, drainage, paths and gardens currently being installed.
I also know that better bus services are an important issue locally. So I’m delighted to report on a recently announced network extension in Casey-Cardinia that will benefit Beaconsfield. The 928, currently wholly within Pakenham, will be extended to Berwick and serve the newest parts of Beaconsfield and Officer, running along Rix Rd and Brunt Rd, areas which are currently without service.
The route will be taking advantage of the recently built road bridge as part of the Brunt Rd level crossing removal project. This is a very timely project that’s part of the State Government’s broader package of removing all 22 level crossings on the Pakenham line. Thank you to the local community for your patience whilst this crossing was removed.
Residents of the Banner will be familiar with the community’s successful campaign to preserve our historic Railway House and Bunya Bunya tree. I was proud to be able to announce last year that the Government had listened and would no longer be demolishing the house and tree as part of this project.
Today I’m happy to report that the modification works will be far less intrusive than had been expected. Not only will the original heritage aspects of the house be retained fully, but the vast majority of the newer house extension will also be preserved, with only one small corner (the sunroom) requiring removal.
This is an excellent result for the community, and I’d again like to thank the passionate locals who have spoken up on this issue. Now is a great time to make your voice heard over what future you’d like to see for this historic building. Would it make a good community venue, or a social enterprise café? Would you like to see Council manage the site, a private business or a local not-for-profit? I’m keen to hear your thoughts.
As the weather starts to warm up it’s time once again to start thinking about fire plans for the summer fire period. The Government has recently upgraded a number of Ultra Light Tankers across Victoria. These light vehicles have been equipped with compressed air foam-based deluge systems which can be deployed in the event of a burn-over, to save the lives of the occupants inside. At the announcement we had our very own Upper Beaconsfield brigade in attendance who demonstrated the new system on one of their vehicles.
